World Skin Cancer Foundation hosts first U.S. West Coast contest

By Andrew HoranMay 22, 2009 7:04 AM

The World Skin Cancer Foundation's first U.S. West Coast event is May 30 and includes a surf contest at the San Clemente Pier, and a dinner party and auction at the Surfing Heritage Foundation in San Clemente.

The conest is the Sean and Skippy Slater Invitational Surf Contest presented by Ocean Potion. The Slater Invitational will include WCT pros and "dozens of other top men and women short and long boarders from around the world," according to the foundation's news release.

Admission to the surf contest is free. Click here for more information about tickets for the Saturday dinner and auction. To learn how to donate items to the auction, contact Frank Kaufman.

Tickets also available for sale at the San Onofre Hawaiian Surf Club Street Fair and Polynesian Luau on Saturday, May 23rd in San Clemente at the San Clemente Community Center.

Some information about skin cancer and the foundation, from the release:

Skin cancer is the fastest growing type of cancer in the United States and the Foundation's mission is to build awareness for the disease while educating the public on how to enjoy a safer outdoor lifestyle. The organization conducts several recreational and sports special events each year, all designed to educate people about the causes and prevention of skin cancer while safely enjoying the outdoors. Most events also offer free skin cancer screenings for all participants and attendees and local Doctors will be conducting free and private screenings Saturday, May 30th from noon to 4pm, during the Slater Invitational

"Anybody can have a full and active fun-in-the-sun lifestyle but you need to take precautions from the dangers of the sun," said World Skin Cancer Foundation President Drew Filliben. "It starts with wearing a hat, shirt and approved sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, and we encourage everyone to do all of those things and join us at the Sean and Skippy Slater Invitational Surf Contest presented by Ocean Potion the last weekend in May."

Over one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year and over 10,000 people die from skin cancer annually. The most important benefit of supporting the World Skin Cancer Foundation and one of its many events is helping the organization's efforts to raise awareness for skin cancer through education, prevention, detection and informational public signage while supporting sun-safe outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.worldskincancerfoundation.com.

The Slater Invitational will also bring to a close the Foundation's activity during May's National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. The event is the first on the West Coast for the Foundation since the Cocoa Beach, Florida-based organization announced its expansion to the region last October.